Setting off from the village of Bruck, the 30-mile (48-kilometer Grossglockner High Alpine Road is considered one of the most exciting mountain drives in the world. The route zigzags through 36 hairpin bends while climbing 8,215 feet (2,504 meters past alpine meadows and forests and alongside waterfalls and the Pasterze Glacier.
Named for the much-revered Empress Maria Theresa, Maria Theresien Street (Maria-Theresien-Strasse) is Innsbruck’s pedestrianized main street, running through the heart of the Old Town. Lined with architectural treasures, a stroll down the street reveals pastel-painted facades, elaborately carved balconies, and beautiful baroque palaces.
A gleaming steel and glass structure, shaped like the wing of a plane with two cylindrical towers, Hangar-7 shimmers over Salzburg Airport. It’s the home of Red Bull’s aerobatics team, and houses the brand’s eclectic collection of aircraft, Red Bull racing team cars, and other high-adrenaline memorabilia, plus drinking and dining venues.
This dramatic mountain pass high in the Swiss Alps is widely considered one of Europe’s most exciting roads. Reaching an elevation of almost 8000 feet (2500 meters, the route is known for its dramatic bends and striking vistas, as well as its role in 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger.
Perched in the foothills of the Alps just south of Innsbruck, the 16th-century Ambras Palace (Schloss Ambras) was the onetime residence of Archduke Ferdinand II. Today, the striking Renaissance palace and impeccably manicured gardens play host to one of Innsbruck’s most impressive museums and portrait galleries.
Draped over the border of Switzerland and Italy like a shimmering silk scarf, Lake Lugano combines the best of both countries. Alpine peaks over cobalt-blue waters are a Swiss postcard, while the Mediterranean fishing villages and mild microclimate reveal an Italian soul. Take a turn around the lake by land or sea to soak in the pristine landscape and resort vibe.
Just south of Salzburg in Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park, the 10,508-foot (3,203-meter) Kitzsteinhorn mountain and glacier dominates the Zell am See and Kaprun region. With glacier snow until summer and spectacular scenery all year, the Kitzsteinhorn is a magnet for skiers, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and sightseers.
Home to the longest glacial downhill ski route in Switzerland, as well as a varied network of ski runs, it’s not hard to see why Diavolezza is a popular haunt for powder junkies. Standing over 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) proud, Diavolezza Mountain adds an impressive eight peaks to the Bernina skyline, and is accessible by gondola from the Diavolezza train station.
See the world in small at Klagenfurt’s Minimundus, a model village near the lake. Educational and enjoyable for all ages, the mostly outdoor park showcases replica landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, CN Tower, and St. Peter’s Basilica, all recreated in accurate detail. Miniature steam trains, ships in ponds, and interactive displays add to the fun.
Located in Salzburg Old Town, the Salzburg Museum of Natural History (Salzburg Haus der Natur) is the city’s most popular museum. Wander its diverse displays to see models of dinosaurs; journey around the human body and try hands-on experiments at the Science Centre; and admire marine creatures and reptiles in the Aquarium and Reptile Zoo.
Flanked by the Carpathian Mountains of southern Austria, Lake Wörthersee is a ribbon of water stretching from the glamorous town of Velden in the west to the city of Klagenfurt in the east. Known as one of Austria’s warmest and cleanest lakes, Wörthersee draws travelers wanting to swim in its spa-like waters and hike or cycle its shores.
An architectural wonder, this 325-foot (100-meter) tower is one of the world’s highest wooden viewing platforms, offering panoramas of Lake Wörthersee and Austria’s mountainous Carinthia region. You can climb its 441 steps, ride the elevator, soar across the Fly 100 zipline, or slide down the helter-skelter-style slide in 20 seconds.
On the shores of Lake Geneva, Swiss Vapeur Parc is a railway-themed miniature park with 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) of train tracks, rideable steam trains, and a model-train landscape dotted with Swiss landmarks and alpine villages. It’s a must for train enthusiasts, as well as a fun destination for the whole family.
